1896–97 Northern Rugby Football Union season
| 1896–97 Northern Rugby Football Union season | |
|---|---|
| Structure | Separate county championships |
| 1896–97 Season | |
| Top point-scorer(s) |
 Rigg 112 |
| Top try-scorer(s) |
 Hannah 19 |
| Joined League |
Bramley Castleford Heckmondwike Holbeck Leeds Parish Church Morecambe  Swinton Salford
|
| Lancashire Senior Competition | |
| Champions | Broughton Rangers |
| Yorkshire Senior Competition | |
| Champions | Brighouse Rovers |
The 1896–97 Northern Rugby Football Union season was the second ever season of rugby league football. Following the success of the Northern Union's first season, several more clubs from the established Rugby Football Union joined the rebel competition. This resulted in the decision that for the 1896–97 season the competition should be split into two separate county championships: Lancashire and Yorkshire. This season also saw the introduction of the Challenge Cup, with Batley defeating St Helens in the inaugural final.
Eight new teams joined the twenty-two teams already in the breakaway Northern Union, and so it was split into two county leagues for the 1896–97 season. The new teams were Bramley, Castleford, Heckmondwike, Holbeck, Leeds Parish Church, Morecambe, Swinton and Salford. Salford's first game was a 10-0 defeat away to Widnes on 5 September 1896.
Mr J.E. Warren of the Warrington club was elected as the new President of the Northern Union. Warren, previously Warrington's secretary, had played a key role in Warrington's involvement in the foundation of the Northern Union.
The leading try scorer overall this season was Hannah of Hunslet, who crossed the line 19 times. The leading goal kickers were Albert Goldthorpe of Hunslet and Sharpe of Liversedge who both successful 26 times. The leading points scorer was Archie Rigg of Halifax with 112 points.
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